The dangers of working from a height

In an employment environment where ‘beggars can’t be choosers’, it’s understandable that employees don’t feel like ‘rocking the boat’ when it comes to their employers. But health and safety is an incredibly important facet of any business that so often gets tragically overlooked, so as employees, if you are aware of any negligence when it comes to the safety in your workplace, be sure to make your doubts clear to your employers, especially if you’re working from a height where a serious accident could prove fatal.

Falling from a height at work

Of course, falling from a height is incredibly dangerous, especially if you’re working in construction, where a serious fall could prove fatal. In fact, falls from height are the largest cause of deaths in the workplace in the UK. The ‘Work at Height Regulation’ act was introduced in 2005 to protect anyone working from a height, which could cover everything from a bridge painter working hundreds of feet off the ground to an employee in an office standing on a chair to change a light bulb. The most common injuries sustained from working at a height include falls from ladders, through roofs and from scaffolding, but if you’re unsure as to whether your accident qualifies, call us at Accident Advice Helpline and we’ll be able to answer all your questions and set you up with a claim for personal injury compensation.

It’s just as important that employees working in such circumstances also remain vigilant of things falling from above, as if a heavy enough item falls from high enough, it could be potentially life threatening. Precautions that can be taken to avoid a workplace injury include cleaning up any spills or potential hazards IMMEDIATELY after they happen, keeping an eye out on your fellow employees and making sure that those working from a height are equipped with the right safety equipment (harnesses etc.). More often than not, it’s all down to common sense.

Warning signs

Though a trip or fall can be potentially tragic under any circumstances, it’s particularly dangerous when you’re working from a height. As such, in any job that requires employees to work above ground there should be warning signs stationed in all of the most dangerous areas that make the potential safety risks abundantly clear to all employees. The majority of accidents in any workplace do not take place in a deliberate or malicious manner; they are simply the result of one person who just doesn’t think enough about the safety of their employees or co-workers. Making sure your workplace is stocked with clear, visible warning signs is a good start.

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